Town Column : Aquinnah
By Molly Purves
Published: July 16, 2009
The other day my husband called me outside and asked if I wanted to see a baby rattlesnake. I didn't really want to see any kind of snake around our house, but our son did, so we went to take a look. The snake was light brown with darker brown rings around it. I didn't think rattlesnakes lived around here; I associate them with the desert and Westerns, not Massachusetts - and definitely not our yard. But, my husband said he used to catch them as a Boy Scout in New Jersey, and that it definitely was a rattlesnake. Our son, Rodeo, was fascinated with it. Later in the day I went to the library and told Jenny about it. She seemed a little skeptical. She looked it up in "Snakes of North America" and after looking at the pictures, I decided it looked like an American Tree Snake, which seems much friendlier. It couldn't be a rattler, could it?
The Legends of Moshup Pageant is this Saturday at Sundown at the Tribal Center; for more information call 508-645-9265. This pageant happens every year and this year the Tribe decided to hold the Pageant in July rather than August, so as not to compete with the Agricultural Fair.
You have just two more days to catch Jan and John Wightman's annual art show at the Chilmark Bank of Martha's Vineyard. It includes Island images of the past 35 years mixing different materials like sea glass and clay beads. There are also some one-of-a-kind clay beads designed by Gladys Widdis. Jan is currently working on planning next year's performing arts concerts and Minnesingers programs.
Thank you to Leah Bassett who sent me a flyer about Kim Tasker's yoga classes at 10 Old South Road. Kim teaches Tuesday through Saturday - some classes are drop-in and some you need to reserve a space. She is also available for massage. Call 508-560-0350 for a full schedule.
Jeffie Butler surprised her father with a quick weekend visit from Aspen with her daughter, Maeve. Jeffie's sister, Nina, is off to Atlanta for a few days to visit a friend.
Whitney Swolinzky left Tuesday for her family's annual party in Maine. The party takes place on an Island that is about the size of Aquinnah.
I saw Violet MacPhail at Cinema Circus two weeks ago; she was looking very serious as Jenny Christy painted a flower on her cheek. I also got a glimpse of Emmett Taylor, Violet's cousin; he is a very cute little baby just over a month old.
The Visiting Nursing Association is celebrating 25 years with a clambake at the Field Gallery on Wednesday, July 22, at 6 pm. So stop by and give a thank-you for all their service over the years. Call 508-696-0785 for more information.
